Since opening in June 2023, New Zealand’s newest events space, Tākina Wellington Convention & Exhibition Centre (Tākina) has hosted thousands of delegates inside its striking new building.

In collaboration with Tākina Events, the facility is well prepared and capable of delivering memorable events to the international business events community.

Tākina’s very first event was a major international project, when it successfully brought together hundreds of delegates to host the Australian Psychological Society for a three-day symposium.

Since then, Tākina has also hosted Business Events Industry Aotearoa (BEIA)’s MEETINGS – New Zealand’s pre-eminent event for the business events industry. It was the first time the event had been hosted in Wellington and highlighted the facility’s ability to support a new level of event experience in the city.

“It was a thrill to see Tākina abuzz with industry delegates for MEETINGS 2023,” Tākina Events director, Jake Downing, said.

“This event is renowned for its impact on the industry, and we are committed to creating an exceptional environment that fosters collaboration, inspiration, and growth. I am immensely proud of the work our team has done to position Tākina Events as leaders in conferences and events in Aotearoa New Zealand.”

A true case study for engaging with native culture in events

Previously known as Te Papa Venues, Tākina Events has a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1998. Over the course of 25 years, the dedicated team has expertly handled and coordinated an impressive portfolio of over 15,000 conferences at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (Te Papa), welcoming more than 1,500,000 attendees.

Over that period, the company has been regarded as one of the most forward-thinking organisations in the industry with the thoughtful integration and celebration of New Zealand’s indigenous cultures.

Te Papa was chosen as the venue for this historic launch of the world’s first indigenous public holiday, Matariki. This globally-significant moment was supported by the Tākina Events team’s venue spaces and specially-curated menu.

Te Papa is a place where the stories of Aotearoa New Zealand can be shared with the world, and the events it has hosted have directly benefited Te Papa’s purpose of understanding and treasuring the past and enriching the present, in order to meet the challenges of the future.

The newly opened facility, Tākina, will be able to take these experiences further, with a venue capable of hosting 2,000 delegates in comfort across its floorspace.

Of that floorspace, the top two floors offer more than 10,000 square metres of flexible meeting space, while the ground floor includes a 1,280-square-metre Exhibition Gallery. This is the largest space in Aotearoa New Zealand, and when it’s not being used for conventions, it will be available for both local and touring exhibitions, becoming one of the most prominent creative spaces in the nation.

“Tākina is such a big and exciting initiative for Aotearoa’s capital city. Bringing the operation of Tākina and Te Papa together provides so many options for all types of business and community events and conferences,” Te Papa chief executive, Courtney Johnston, said.

Building a cultural hub

Tākina and Te Papa benefit from their prime location on the beautiful Wellington waterfront, offering the added convenience of being within walking distance to the city’s vibrant shopping, dining, and entertainment hubs.

Since opening, the venue has become a key icon of Wellington’s cultural and entertainment scene.

With more than 120 confirmed multi-day conferences already on the calendar, Tākina Events is expected to bring significant numbers of new visitors to Wellington, which will encourage further development and build the city’s growing reputation as a premium global events destination.

“We were thrilled to welcome clients to Tākina during our inaugural months,” Tākina Events general manager, Andrew Dorrington said.  

“The positive feedback and excitement from our clients from those very first events validate our commitment to our people to deliver excellence and innovation.”

To discover more, go to takina.co.nz, email enquires@takinaevents.co.nz or call +64 4 381 7272.